Thread protector



May 11 1926.

B. L. MALLORY THREAD PROTECTOR Filed April 1, 1920 25 pipe having my thread Patented May 11,1926.

J UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

THREAD PROTECTOR.

Application filed April 1, 1920. Serial No. 370,403.

This invention relates to improvements in that class of devices known as thread protectors that are used for guarding the threaded ends of pipes, tubes, rods, etc.,

against injury during shipment, storage, and

handling.

The Objects of my invention are the economical production of a very etiicient device of the aforesaid character that is simple and substantial of construction; is comprised of a minimum number of parts; is convenient of attachment and removal; adjusts itself to slight irregularities of thread, or to socalled straight or tapered threads; that holds securely against dislodgment except in response to the unscrewing operation; and that fully protects the object to which it is applied, having as it does a heavy terminal flange that extends inwardly over the end of the object.

In the accompanying drawing, Fig. 1 IS a perspective view of a thread protector constructed in accordance with my invention; Fig. 2 is a sectional side elevation of a protector applied thereto; Fig. 3 is a section on the line 3 3 of Fig. 2; and Fig. 4 is a perspective view of the parts of the protector in separated condition, as before the thread engaging ele- 3 ment is inserted and the flange of the shell turned over to hold it in'place, a part of the shell being broken away to more clearly reveal its construction.

My protector is preferably entirely made of sheet metal and comprises a cylindrical shell 1 having an end flange 2 that is formed by an inwardly directed end of the shell, turned over upon itself, as clearly shown in Fig. 2. A thread engaging element 4,

40 that is provided for a part of its length with threads of a standard pitch and character, has a flange 5 confined within the. former flange 2, when the parts are assembled. The thread engaging element may be very slightl v spaced from the wall of the shell 1 so as to yield to any slight irregularities in the thread,

or to adjust itself to either a straight or tapered thread, the space between the element and wall of the shell being insufiicient,-however, to allow the element to withdraw laterally from the threads of the pipe, for the deject, or if its inner vice must cling to the pipe securely enough to prevent its accidental dislodgment therefrom if struck a hard blow against an obend should catch on an object in such. manner as to exert a longi tudinal pull on the device.

The end flange 2, being of double thickness, and the shell 1 being spaced slightly from the threads of the pipe for practically their entire circumference, make the device an exceedingly effective protector.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim is:

1. A thread protector comprising a cylindrical shell having one of its ends turned inwardly upon itself to provide a double wall flange, and a threaded segment inside the shell and having an inwardly directed end flange embraced between the walls of the former flange while the body portion of the segment bears at its endadjacent the flange on the cylindrical wall of the shell thereby to be held securely in place.

2. A thread protector comprising a sheet metal cylindrical shell, and a sheet metal threaded segment inside the shell, the segment having an end flange, and the shell having its end turned inwardly and over about the end flange of the segment to hold the segment in place.

3. A thread protector comprising a cylindrical shell, and a resilient threaded sheet metal segment secured inside the shell and spaced from the wallthereof a distance less than the 'de th of the threads of said segment wherelgy when the protector is placed upon a threaded element, said wall serves as a stop to prevent withdrawal of the threads of the segment from e threads of the element.

4. A thread protector comprising a sheet metal cylindrical shell, and a sheet metal threaded segment inside the shell, the segment having an end flange, and the shell having its end turned inwardly and over about the end flange of the segment. said end flange being retained in said shell end.

In testimony whereof, I hereunto aflix my signature.

BONNIE L. MALLORY. 

